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High Protein Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet - A Fast, Filling Weeknight Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Thick-cut bacon (4–6 slices), chopped
  • Lean ground beef (1–1.25 pounds; 90–93% lean works well)
  • Yellow onion (1 small), diced
  • Garlic (2–3 cloves), minced
  • Tomato paste (1 tablespoon)
  • Beef broth (1/3 cup)
  • Worcestershire sauce (1–2 teaspoons)
  • Dill pickles (1/2 cup), chopped, plus extra slices for topping
  • Cherry tomatoes (1 cup), halved (optional but tasty)
  • Shredded sharp cheddar (1–1.5 cups)
  • Greek yogurt or light mayo (2 tablespoons) for a creamy finish (optional)
  • Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Mustard powder (1/2 teaspoon) or 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil (1 teaspoon) if needed
  • Green onions (2), sliced, for garnish
  • Shredded lettuce (2 cups) for serving, optional

Method
 

  1. Crisp the bacon. Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until crispy and browned, 6–8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate, leaving 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan. If there’s extra, drain carefully.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  3. Brown the beef. Add ground beef, breaking it into crumbles. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and mustard powder. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. If there’s excess grease, spoon off most of it.
  4. Build the sauce base. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly. Add Worcestershire and beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes to thicken and coat the meat.
  5. Add the burger fixings. Fold in chopped dill pickles and cherry tomatoes (if using). Reduce heat to low. Taste and adjust seasoning—more pepper for bite, more pickles for tang.
  6. Cheesy finish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the skillet. Cover and cook on low until the cheese melts, 1–2 minutes. For extra creaminess, stir in Greek yogurt or light mayo after melting.
  7. Top and serve. Return the crispy bacon to the skillet and sprinkle with green onions. Serve as-is, over shredded lettuce, or with a side of roasted veggies. Optional: a drizzle of yellow mustard or a few pickle slices on top for that true cheeseburger vibe.